Chapter 4: Not-so-Rapunzel
A/N: Okay it's been a while LOL ): ... um um um IM SORRY I COULDNT FIT A DRAGON IN THIS TALE! T_T I really tried to but in the end it didnt work out with the whole dragon thing BUT i do promise that there will be another tale with a dragon and and and I'm starting to think i can do part 1 and 2's for certain pairings bwahahaha lol well we'll see. But I did have a hard time writing Rapunzel with Natsu and Lucy hahaha so i think i might do another NaLu tale :P but I hope this will suffice for now. Anyway enjoy! (:
Pairing: Natsu x Lucy
Fairy Tale: Rapunzel
After her tiresome role in Little Mermaid, Lucy had prayed that she would be the innocent bystander for the next tale. Not to say she didn't want to help her friends but she had wasted all her energy in trying to get Erza and Jellal together. Who knew it would take a band of aquatic animals and fishes, a sea witch, a boat, and a voice box to get two people—who clearly have feelings for each other—together.
A sigh left her body when she pulled her blanket over her head to hide herself. Wait a minute, she thought. When did she end up in bed? Why was she alone?
Lucy sprung out of bed but in the process, her hair had caught onto the bed post and she was whiplashed back to bed. The root of where her hair was tugged was starting to throb in pain.
Her eyes scanned the room then realization dawned on her; she was the bloody princess in this bloody fairy tale. Long blonde hair was tangled all around the room. Never in her life had she ever seen this amount and length of hair coming from one person—her.
"Really? Rapnuzel?" She told herself.
The room was small and it had only one widow facing east. What made it worse—her hair was everywhere. She couldn't even walk two steps before walking all over her blond hair. As she managed to reach her dresser without her hair being caught, she found a to-do list on the mirror. It read:
1. Comb Hair
2. Braid Hair
3. Eat whatever Mother Gothel gave
4. Daydream about the outside world
5. Read a book about the outside world
6. Clean the room
7. Daydream more about the outside world
8. Eat
The list of things to do went on. Rapunzel really had it bad, Lucy thought. To think, a young girl, being trapped in a tower for so many years without seeing people—excluding Mother Gothel—was still sane. Instead of bashing the story, Lucy decided to follow the list starting from number one. She gathered her hair and started to comb it, section by section. An hour after combing her hair, Lucy threw the brush out the window. Frustration built as her patience dwindled with each stroke. She could not believe that someone would ever think of doing this or even writing something as absurd.
"Rapunzel, Rapunzel, let down your hair." A voice called to her from the window.
Lucy grabbed her hair and threw it over a hook and it had landed on the ground where that person stood. But then Lucy realized she had just carelessly thrown down her hair for a stranger no less, not a question asked or even a glance to check. For all Lucy knew, she was inviting a murderer right through the only entrance and exit to her home. Idiot Lucy, why do you do this to yourself? She felt the weight on her hair and surprisingly it did not hurt as she expected it to.
As the person climbed through, Lucy realized that it was none other than her real-life best friend, Levy. No wonder it didn't hurt, Levy was so small and light.
"Levy? You're mother Gothel?" Lucy asked. She was a little taken back seeing Levy as the antagonist.
"Yes! This should be fun!" Levy was really excited about this story and Lucy had no idea why.
"Oh but isn't it predictable though?" She paused to assess Levy's face. "The princess who's locked in the tower falls in love with the prince right? He convinces her to marry him and she agrees. He brings her string every time he visits so she can sew together some kind of rope to let herself down from the tower. But mother Gothel finds out her plan and locks her away.
"Then she scares the prince away. He jumps off the tower and lands in a thorn bush, the thorns pierce his eyes, causing him to go blind and he wanders the land looking for Rapunzel. Eventually he finds her and they kiss. True love's first kiss unblinds him and they live happily ever after." Lucy concluded. Levy just held a small smirk.
"What is it Levy? Did I miss anything?" She asked.
"Nopes not at all. But you should already know that we are Fairy Tail—not everything goes according to plan." Levy said in a matter-of-fact tone.
"Well that's true." Lucy sighed.
"Well Lu-chan, I think the prince will be on his way here. I better head off. You mind throwing your hair down?" Lucy noticed that Levy had a book in her hand. But then again doesn't she always?
Lucy nodded and threw her hair unto the hook and let it fall to the ground. Levy gave Lucy a small hug before she jumped out the window and down her escape route.
"This is boring." Lucy sighed as she looked out the window. She considered leaving her hair the way it was because the prince will be here soon and she didn't feel the need to throw her hair repeatedly. But then again she didn't want to invite strangers to climb her hair. As soon as she started to pull her hair up she heard a voice call out.
"Rapunzel, Rapunzel, let down your—" The voice was cut off once he saw that the hair was retrieving itself from the small window up above.
Lucy dropped her hair. She didn't really recognize the voice but then again she couldn't even recognize Levy's voice. The only person that it could be was Natsu. Mira always tried to get them together so she wouldn't be surprised if it was Natsu. But Lucy tried to fight the blush at the thought of Natsu being her prince. Natsu, a prince? He would be a really unorthodox prince; no manners, no second thoughts, careless, but loyal to no end—that would certainly define his character as a prince. To be honest, she wouldn't have him any other way.
Lucy was sitting on her bed waiting for the person to come through the window. But then she realized she was too busy day dreaming to notice that the person could only fit part of his head and one arm through the window.
"Elfman?" Lucy was shocked. Wasn't it supposed to be Natsu?
"Lucy?" He was just as surprised.
"You're not Natsu!"
"You're not Ever!" They both said in unison. So they were both thinking of their respective partners to play their opposites.
Elfman still could not fit himself through the window so he just stayed outside. Lucy laughed at how ridiculous it looked, someone as big as Elfman had to fit into a small window that Levy even had troubled getting into.
"It's not manly to laugh at another man." Elfman said.
"Sorry, it's just that I wasn't expecting you as much as you weren't expecting me. But Elfman wanna get me out of this tower anyway?" She asked him. He just nodded. If he wasn't able to get inside the tower then he would just have to bring her out.
Lucy stepped out the window and climbed onto his back. Elfman didn't really need Lucy's hair to climb down; he just gripped the stones and headed his way down. But her hair was everywhere and he tried his best not to pull on it.
Once they reached the ground, Lucy hopped off his back and sat on the ground. Elfman was being a gentleman and gathered her hair. He placed it beside her lap. She just smiled and said thanks. He took his seat next to her.
"So now what? I don't think we were meant to be though." Lucy said.
He just shrugged. "But do we uh still have to uhhhh—" Elfman was flustered at how to word this correctly. "—kiss?" A blush crossed his cheeks.
Lucy's head whipped around to stare at the man who had just said that word. Then she started to laugh hysterically. Of all people, it was Elfman. Juvia had Gray, Erza had Jellal, but Lucy? She had Elfman. It was absolutely wrong.
After her fit of laughter, she dropped herself to the floor, lying in her heap of hair.
"No, I'm sorry. I can't just kiss you like that. Juvia and Gray didn't even kiss for the story to end right? So we don't have to." She saw the tension from his shoulders relax. She knew that he wasn't really willing to kiss her either especially since Evergreen was the one he wanted as his princess. Plus, that woman would make her into stone if she ever laid her lips on him.
"Now what? It's not like a man to give up." Elfman said.
"We're not giving up. We'll wait for Levy to come back. Maybe she'll think of a way." Lucy sat up and started to braid her hair. Elfman just sighed and he rested his head on the grass. It was already night time, maybe Levy would be back in the morning.
As soon as his eyes were starting to close, he heard rustling from the forest in front of them. He got up to get a better look.
"Hm? Elfman what is it?" Lucy was still busy braiding her hair.
"I heard something." Elfman signaled her to stay quiet.
She nodded in return. They both were listening to the sounds because at night, it was difficult seeing what lay ahead of them. Then out of nowhere, Levy jumped out of the bush in front of them, causing Elfman and Lucy to scream.
Levy was rolling on the ground laughing at the two. Both of them glared at her.
"Elfman, I didn't know that you would scream like a girl too. Bwahahahaha." Levy continued laughing.
"A man shows his true feelings." Elfman tried to defend himself but he was still embarrassed.
"LEVYYYYY!" Lucy screamed out. "C'mon help us finish this story." Lucy pleaded with her blue haired friend.
"Okay. Well you two have to kiss." Levy said in her matter-of-fact tone again.
"Are you SERIOUS?" Both Lucy and Elfman yelled.
"Yeah well you are the prince," she pointed at Elfman, "you are the princess," she eyed Lucy.
Levy had a smirk on her face—she looked like quite the villain. Lucy eyed her suspiciously.
"I think Levy-chan, you're not telling us something." Lucy said.
"What? Lu-channnnn. I'm trying to help seeing that there are only three of us in this tale together." Levy smiled.
Elfman sighed and he got up and walked over to Lucy.
"Huh Elfman." Lucy eyed him and his face was serious. "No. Are you serious?" Elfman did not respond.
"I'm not kissing you? Do you not know Evergreen? She'll stone me and then drop me from the tower." Lucy tried to back away but Elfman cornered her.
"We won't tell anyone." He said quietly.
"WE DON'T HAVE TO BECAUSE THEY ARE WATCHING US!" Lucy tried to push him back but it failed. She looked for her friend who was just standing there in shock. "Levy help!"
"I'm sorry Lu-chan, it'll just be a small peck? Right Elfman?" Levy squeaked.
Elfman started to lower his head down and Lucy tried to back away from him.
"I can't," he whispered, "A man cannot force a kiss on an unwilling woman." He gave her a smile.
Lucy let out an exasperated sigh. Levy couldn't see what was happening because Elfman was towering over her friend.
"I guess it didn't work." Levy said to herself so that the other two wouldn't hear her.
Suddenly a loud crash hit the hill behind them. It was as if a meteor fell, leaving a huge crater like ditch on the ground. The three went running over there to see what had just happened. A ball of flame rose from the ditch and headed straight for them, actually straight for Elfman. It had hit Elfman, his body flew and crashed into the base of the tower. The person standing in Elfman's place was no other than, Natsu.
Lucy's eyes widened. His back was facing her. She knew that he was mad but she didn't know why? The only times she felt this intensity emitting from him is whenever he fights with people who are trying to harm his nakama. But he had just punched Elfman without holding back.
"Natsu?" She tried to place her hand on his shoulder but her nerves stopped her. He turned around to face her.
"Did he kiss you?" His tone was dark.
"What? Natsu? Who Elfman?" Was he upset because Elfman was about to kiss her?
"Lucy," He said sternly, "Answer me, did he kiss you?" He was dead serious. There wasn't a grin or boyish charm that he usually displays in front of her.
She wasn't quite sure if he was upset that Elfman was about to kiss her or more upset that Elfman was willing to kiss her when she didn't want to.
"Oh are you mad because of that—" She was speaking normally until Natsu grabbed her arm and pulled her into him.
"I—I need," he sounded vulnerable as he spoke into her hair, "to know…"
Lucy eyes found his and she gave him a small smile. Lightly, she shook her head. His arms around her tightened and she couldn't fight the smile that was now plastered on her face. His body fit so well with hers and now it had felt right.
Natsu turned his head to glare at Levy, he had watched all along and he knew what she was up to. His arms dropped, much to Lucy's dismay.
"Levy, I know what you did. Question is why?" His voice still sounded a little dangerous but not as threatening.
"Um—I, ummmm." Levy was fumbling for words and Lucy didn't understand what was happening.
"What are you talking about Natsu?" Lucy asked.
"Ask Levy." He sighed.
"Sorry Lu-chan." Levy squeaked.
"What do you mean sorry?" Lucy asked.
"I uh—well I sorta re-wrote the story. Natsu was supposed to be your prince but I changed it to Elfman. But wait before you get mad, I just wanted to know if I was able to re-write some stuff and I'm right. My runes are strong enough. Hah." Sweat started to drop down her face.
Lucy's eyes widened. "WHAAT? I ALMOST KISSED ELFMAN FOR THIS STORY?"
Another crash landed abruptly between them, this time Gajeel appeared in front of Levy. He stood protectively in front of Levy. One more loud crash erupted from the sky. It was Mirajane and Laxus. Mira had the face of a demon and was staring darkly at Levy. She hid behind Gajeel.
"LEVY? You almost made my brother kiss Lucy?" Mira said darkly.
Out of nowhere, Elfman came flying at Natsu.
"A MAN GETS HIS REVENGE!"
Natsu and Elfman were now in a brawl. Gajeel decided to join in too.
"What is happening?" Lucy said as she face palmed herself.
Mirajane and Laxus had finally made it to them.
"You are very sly, Levy." Mira admitted. "How were you able to do it?"
"With this pen and book." Levy showed Mira.
"Keep it with you Levy." Laxus warned. "We wouldn't want that going into the wrong hands." His eyes glared at Mira.
Her head nodded quickly and Mira just sighed. Laxus cracked his knuckles.
"Don't tell me you're going to fight too." Lucy sighed.
"I can't help it." Laxus joined in, leaving the three girls alone.
"Let's have some fun with this." Mira said
Lucy left the other two to do what they had wanted. She sat by the giant crater that Natsu had left behind. Her knees curled up to her chest and her head lay on her arms.
Her thoughts went back to Natsu and how upset he was. Had he been so upset that he broke through the story cap? Did Natsu even have the emotional capacity to love someone? Wait, love. When had that word popped up in her vocabulary? It was honestly tearing her apart. She knew one thing for sure; Natsu was the only person she could not live without. He had become the most important person in her life; there was no one else who compared.
Suddenly Natsu's body was flung into the crater. He got up and dusted himself and then he realized a pair of brown eyes staring at him. A little flustered, he scratched the back of his head and decided to sit next to her.
"Hey Lucy." He gave her his toothy grin.
"Hi." She squeaked out. Why was she feeling nervous?
"I'm glad you didn't kiss him." He admitted. "Your first kiss shouldn't be forced on you."
Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh, Lucy thought. He was just trying to save her dignity or innocence. It had nothing to do with him feeling something for her. She couldn't help but feel a little saddened by his confession.
"It should be with someone who you care about and not for some stupid story." He said sincerely.
Still, she kept quiet. He was being very considerate and caring. Her heart started to beat a little bit faster and a blush grew on her face. The person she wanted to kiss was him.
"I'll support whoever you choose, just…" He sighed. It looked like he had thought about this for a while. "Tell me if I'm in the way.." He said barely above a whisper.
Lucy had to strain her ears to hear the last part of what he said because he was speaking as if he was fighting himself to say it. A small smile curved her lips. Natsu—her Natsu was growing up. He would step aside if she chose someone else and he didn't want to hold her back.
Natsu was about to get back on his feet but he felt Lucy tug on his arm, signaling to stay with her. He nodded and sat a bit further away than before. But she moved closer to him so that she could rest her head on his shoulder. He stiffened with the sudden contact but slowly softened as his head rested on top of hers.
"Natsu," she said quietly, "Can't I just be with you?"
She felt his arms wrap around her waist. He kissed the top of her head. "Well I did say I'll support whoever you choose."